Dolphins Generations: Ryan Tannehill And Bob Griese

Current and 1972 players share their views on different football topics.

Who is/was the toughest player you’ve faced?

Ryan Tannehill: “It’s tough because there are so many great players in this league. I mean, you have Aldon Smith and Patrick Willis on San Francisco, J.J. Watt in my first game at Houston, and Darrelle Revis with the New York Jets. It’s hard to pick one name because there are Pro Bowlers all over the place. Those pass rushers, Aldon Smith and J.J. Watt, really stick out because of their athletic ability. You see these guys that are rushing the passer these days and they all run 4.6 or 4.5 with arms almost out to the floor. They’re just so long and create such a weapon for defenses to put pressure on the quarterback.”

Bob Griese: “The toughest player I faced that season was Mean Joe Greene in the AFC Championship Game. He was always talking to me saying he would come back and visit me in the pocket.”

Who sets/set the bar at your position?

Tannehill: “There are some really good ones to choose from, starting with Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. Drew Brees has been up there for the past number of years. I guess the guy most similar to me is Aaron Rodgers because he runs around a little bit. I like to get outside the pocket and do that as well as throw on the run.”

Griese: “Definitely the guy who set the bar at my position that year was Joe Willie Namath just because he was who he was.”

What has been/was the most memorable moment of your career?

Tannehill: “I think the game-winning drive we had against Seattle at home because it was a big win for us. It came down to the last drive and we were able to go win it at the end.”

Griese: “I’d say winning the Super Bowl over the Washington Redskins to complete our undefeated season. That really was our goal after losing in the Super Bowl the year before. Going undefeated just happened as a result. The second-most memorable moment was breaking my leg and dislocating my ankle.”

What is your best Coach Philbin/Coach Shula story?

Tannehill: “I’d have to say his dancing after wins because it’s classic. It’s a little bit of like a Riverdance mixed with an elf dance maybe. I’m not sure how to classify it, but he does it after most wins. We get him pumped up and he hits the dance.”

Griese: “Actually, my best Coach Shula story took place in the Super Bowl the year before against Dallas. took a 29-yard sack and came to the sideline and Coach Shula always liked to call plays, so I said, ‘All right, you like to call plays? It’s third-and-29. You’ve got this one.’ And he said, ‘Oh, no, you got us into this mess, you get us out of it.’ That was the one I remember best.”